Mount Ararat
Climb, Turkey
Turkey’s highest peak and one of the largest volcanic massifs on the planet — the legendary resting place of Noah’s Ark, with views across Turkey, Armenia and Iran on a non-technical climb suitable for a fit, experienced hiker.
Dogubeyazit to Mount Ararat — Turkey’s legendary volcanic giant
Five days of climbing through Camp 1 and Camp 2 to the 5,137m summit, with a dedicated acclimatization day most itineraries skip. Want every detail first? See the full day-by-day itinerary & gallery →
El itinerario completo
Grouped by phase — tap any stage to open it. Want every detail first? See the full day-by-day itinerary & gallery →
DÍA 1
Arrival in Turkey
After landing in Istanbul, we connect with a domestic flight to Van. From there we transfer by road for 2 hours to Dogubeyazit, enjoy a traditional Turkish welcome dinner and spend the night.
DAYS 2–3
Camp 1 & acclimatization
2,200 – 3,200 m
We proceed to the village of Eli, the start of our trek at 2,200m at the foot of the mountain. Porters and mules take our equipment to camp, and in the afternoon we do a short ascent to acclimatize.
A short acclimatization hike above Camp 1, climbing higher on Ararat’s open volcanic slopes before returning to sleep at the same altitude. In the afternoon we rest and prepare gear for the move to Camp 2.
DÍA 4
Camp 2
3,200 – 4,200 m
We continue the ascent across scree and volcanic rock to our high camp before the summit attempt, with increasingly dramatic landscape and the first patches of snow underfoot. After lunch we rest and check crampons and ice axes.
DAY 5
Summit day
4,200 → 5,137 m
We begin the summit push around midnight, climbing through the night across snow and volcanic scree to reach the summit around sunrise, with Armenia and Iran visible in the distance. After celebrating on the roof of Turkey, we descend all the way back to Camp 1 for the night.
DAYS 6–8
Descent & departure
3,200 → 1,950 m
We return to Dogubeyazit and visit the magnificent Ishak Pasha Palace, a castle-fortress complex on a rocky outcrop. In the afternoon there’s an optional excursion to Mount Tendurek Dag’s crater — said to be where Noah’s Ark was found — followed by a celebratory Turkish dinner.
A day held in reserve in case of bad weather, to give the group more chances to summit if needed.
Transfer to the international airport and return home, filled with achievements, memories and adventures.
Qué incluye
INCLUIDO
- Airport–hotel–airport transfers and transport to/from the trekking start point
- Certified English-speaking local guide, support team and international team leaders
- Welcome dinner, full board during the trek, and breakfast/dinner on travel days
- Medical kit and satellite phone
- Domestic flights Istanbul – Van/Iğdır/Ağrı
- Double-room hotel in Dogubeyazit (2 nights) and Istanbul (1 night); 4 nights in shared tents during the trek
- Portering and luggage transfer (up to 20kg per person)
- Equipment list and personalized guidance
NO INCLUIDO
- Vuelos internacionales
- Entry visa, if required
- Travel insurance and emergency evacuation or rescue
- Tips for local staff
- Personal climbing gear, sleeping bag and clothing
- Personal expenses (phone, internet, laundry, hot showers, alcoholic drinks)
- Extra nights outside the fixed itinerary
- Customized training & nutrition plan (optional extra, on request)
Lo que dicen nuestros viajeros
An outstanding experience with Thin Air Trips! Isa and the team brought so much care, enthusiasm and professionalism to the whole adventure. Their thoughtful planning, clear communication and attention to detail made everything feel smooth and well organised, allowing me to relax and enjoy the experience.
What stood out most was the personal approach. Isa was approachable, helpful and always happy to answer questions. You could really feel her passion for the mountains and her commitment to making the trip special.
A fantastic team that I would happily recommend to anyone looking for a memorable trekking or mountain adventure. Thank you, Isa and Thin Air Trips—I would love to join you again!
I’ve now travelled with Thin Air Trips twice — to Torres del Paine and Kyrgyzstan — and both trips were absolutely incredible. Two very different destinations, but equally unforgettable adventures!
One of the best things about travelling with them is that they take care of everything. From planning the itinerary to organising accommodation, transport and all the logistics along the way, they make the whole experience feel easy. There’s so much that goes into organising trips like these, and having it all managed means you can relax, enjoy the adventure and focus on the places you’ve come to explore.
Torres del Paine was spectacular, and Kyrgyzstan was another amazing experience, with breathtaking mountains and landscapes that will stay with me for a long time. Both trips gave me so many special moments and memories that I’ll always treasure.
For me, the real value of Thin Air Trips is being able to experience these extraordinary destinations without the stress of coordinating everything myself. You get all the excitement of an adventure, with the reassurance that the details are taken care of.
The fact that I booked a second trip after my first probably says it all! I would happily travel with them again and highly recommend them to anyone looking for a well-organised, memorable adventure. An easy five stars!
Fuimos con ellos al Ararat y todo perfecto, organización de 10, muy buena comunicación antes y durante el viaje, y muy buenos guías. Repetiremos!
I had a fantastic experience travelling to Russia to summit Mt Elbrus. Isa has been really communicative and helpful. I had a lot of hestitations about travelling to the region, but all went smooth and the entire trip was amazing. The team on ground were also just as professional and helpful, really helping to take off the logitical pressure and allowing me to focus on the summit.
Espectacular!!la ruta , la organización , la gente…repetiré sin duda!
Viaje top y equipo mejor aún!
Mount Ararat — reserve your spot for July 2027
8 days from Dogubeyazit via Camp 1 and Camp 2 to the summit of Mount Ararat (5,137m) — Turkey’s highest peak and the legendary resting place of Noah’s Ark. Departures are also available June through September 2027 on request. See the full official itinerary & booking page.
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Frequently asked questions
How fit do I need to be for Mount Ararat?
No technical climbing experience is required, but you should be a fit, experienced hiker, confident in your steps and comfortable with long days at altitude. The itinerary includes a dedicated acclimatization day at Camp 1 that most operators skip.
Do I need prior mountaineering experience?
No. The ascent is not technically demanding. You’ll use crampons and an ice axe for the snow and scree near the summit, guided throughout by a certified local guide and international team leader.
What’s included in the price?
Airport and trekking-start transfers, a certified English-speaking guide and team leader, full board during the trek, domestic flights from Istanbul, a medical kit and satellite phone, hotel nights in Dogubeyazit and Istanbul, shared tents during the trek, and portering. International flights, visa, travel insurance and personal gear aren’t included.
Why is Mount Ararat significant?
At 5,137m it’s the highest mountain in Turkey and one of the largest volcanic massifs on the planet, with sweeping views into Armenia and Iran. It’s also the legendary resting place of Noah’s Ark — we visit the area on Mount Tendurek Dag’s crater where the legend is said to have been found.
When does this departure run?
Our headline departure is July 2027, with other dates available June through September 2027. Get in touch with Isa to confirm your preferred window.
Do I need a visa?
An entry visa, if required for your nationality, is not included and should be arranged before travel — we’ll advise you on this once you book.